A Binary Distribution machine stores DFS binary files for processes and command suites for distribution from its dcelocal/bin and related directories to all other server machines of its CPU/OS type in a cell. Each server keeps a copy of server process binaries in a local directory; however, all the machines must be running the same version of the process for the system to perform correctly. Therefore, the binaries are installed on a single Binary Distribution machine, which acts as a source for the others. Configure one Binary Distribution machine for each CPU/OS type for which multiple machines exist in the cell.
A Binary Distribution machine runs the following processes:
· An upserver process (the server portion of the Update Server), which controls the distribution of binary files to other server machines of the same CPU/OS type in the cell.
· An upclient process (the client portion of the Update Server), which retrieves configuration files from the System Control machine.
· A BOS Server (bosserver process). (See Choosing DFS Machine Roles for more information about the BOS Server.)
A second Update Server, different from the one used to distribute configuration files from the System Control machine, helps ensure that all server machines of the same CPU/OS type in a cell run the same binary files. Like System Control machines, Binary Distribution machines run an upserver process. The upclient processes on the other server machines of the same CPU/OS type in the cell frequently contact the upserver process to verify that the most recent version of each binary file is in use. If it is not, the upclient processes on the other server machines retrieve the most recent version from the Binary Distribution machine and install it locally. You do not have to install new software on each individual server machine because the Update Server does it automatically.
The server portion of the Update Server must be run on any machine that acts as a Binary Distribution machine for a cell. The admin.up list associated with this Update Server is used to identify all server principals that can obtain updates from the Binary Distribution machine. The list should include the names of all machines of the same CPU/OS type in a cell.
Unless a server machine is fulfilling the roles of both System Control machine and Binary Distribution machine, different Update Servers handle the distribution of configuration and binary files. A machine configured to perform both roles runs only a single Update Server to distribute both common configuration files and system binary files.